Achilles of the "Iliad": A Monster of a Hero
In ancient Greek times heroism was much different than it is now. Today, all you have to
do to become a hero most of the time is rich, after you do this the media will take it
from there. But in the time of the Trojans it took much more, thing's that Achilles
thankfully, was very good at or things he thought was important. Achilles was not only a
hero physically, but was more importantly, a hero for the Achian army's morale, also his
chivalric properties were important with his being a hero.
Physically Achilles is superior to anyone that I have read of so far in the Iliad, other
than Zeus and a few other gods. Even the best of the Trojan warriors and fighters cannot
compare to Achilles' fighting skill or his strength.
Morale is something that the Achians are truly suffering from in the end of book six and
into book nine. Something that the Achians need and Achilles provides when he is with
the A.chians is a sort of a "father figure" if you would, a figure to look up to and to
follow. Another way Achilles aggrandized the Achians morale was him just being on their
side and not on the Trojan team.
Chivalry was a trait that Achilles saw to be very important, to strive hard to perform
well in. He showed a few instances were he could have conducted himself differently but
made a gallant decision. This includes when Agamemnon took away Briesies, Achilles' war
prize. Achilles could have become very angry and could have killed him very easily but
he refrained, he spared the Achians leader and left so no shame could soil his name.
Compared to most hero's in ancient Greece Achilles was a monster of a hero, for he showed
multiple ways a hero can be the best hero, he also showed exactly how good a hero can be
through his physical properties, his influence he had on the Achians army morale, and his
desire to be the best warrior and hero he could be through his chivalrous acts.
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